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Tallahassee Community College Foundation’s Cleaver and Cork benefit dinner on March 4 will feature the culinary talents of celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and TV personality Chef Richard Blais.

Perhaps most recognizable as the winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars,” Blais has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants in the country including The French Laundry, Daniel, Chez Panisse and el Bulli. He regularly appears as a host and judge on Food Network as well as a regular judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

He owns and operates Trail Blais, a culinary company that has consulted on, designed, and operated some of Atlanta’s most popular eateries including multiple locations of Flip Burger Boutique. In early 2014, Blais opened Juniper & Ivy in San Diego, his first West Coast restaurant where he offers a refined approach to American cuisine and showcases the seasonal and local ingredients of the area. He most recently opened The Crack Shack, a casual spot serving “chicken and egg” inspired fare.

The event, to be held at the Goodwood Plantation Carriage House, will feature Cocktails, Silent Auction, Wine Pull Down at 6 p.m., Dinner & Dessert, Wine Pairing at 7:15 p.m. and Silent Auction Winners at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $150 per person or $250 per couple. Tickets are now available for purchase at: http://alumni.tcc.fl.edu/cleaverandcork. Please RSVP by Feb. 19. For more information, contact Sarah Stout at 850-201-6203, or stouts@tcc.fl.edu.

Check out the chili at Proof Brewing festival

Proof Brewing Company will have its 2nd Annual Winter Festival & Chili Cook-Off beginning at noon Saturday at the Railroad Square Production Facility. The event kicks off with Free Family Fun from noon-3 p.m. where kids can enjoy bounce houses, face painting and more. Adults can relax to live music by The Common Taters & The Turn-Ups (starting at 1 p.m.) in the expansive outdoor beer garden. We’ll have snacks and hot dogs available for purchase, and Black Dog on the Square will be there serving up hot chocolate and coffee.

The Winter Festival Chili Cook-Off begins at 4 p.m. featuring local chefs and residents going head to head in a culinary battle with winners selected by local celebrity judges. Those interested in joining the competition should contact lance@proofbrewingco.com to sign up. Tickets to sample all the chili goodness will be limited, so come early and come hungry. The contest will conclude shortly after 6 p.m. with the announcement of the contest winner and awarding of prizes.

Whataburger celebrates grand reopening Thursday

Whataburger Restaurant at 1101 Thomasville Road will host a grand reopening celebration today from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The restaurant was under construction beginning in November to make way for a new, larger restaurant, but is now back open for business. The grand reopening celebrates the last standing A-Frame model in Florida. Whataburger will host an afternoon of games and giveaways, including its popular “Whataburger for a Year” drawing. Additional activities include a photo booth, balloon artist and a disc jockey.